17. Classical Pediments over Doorways and Fireplaces
The pediment—the triangular or arched upper gable section found above temple porticos—serves as a primary architectural crowning feature in Greek classical design. Adding molded pediment crowns above interior doorways or fireplace mantels adds dramatic architectural height.
What This Idea Means
Pediment mouldings crown interior doorways and hearths, turning standard interior doorways into stately architectural passages.
How to Make It
- Measure Opening: Measure the exact width of your doorway casing or fireplace surround trim.
- Select Pediment Moulding: Acquire a cast polyurethane, plaster, or wooden triangular (pediment) or segment-arched door crown piece matched to your doorway width.
- Prepare the Surface: Sand and prime the pediment crown.
- Mounting: Fasten the pediment securely atop the door casing trim using construction adhesive and finish nails driven into wall studs.
- Paint and Caulk: Fill nail holes with spackle, caulk all seams along the wall with paintable caulk, and paint the entire door trim and pediment in a single uniform shade of semi-gloss white or cream paint.
Tips and Variations
- Materials Needed: Polyurethane/wooden pediment moulding, construction adhesive, finish nails, hammer/nail gun, paintable caulk, semi-gloss paint.
- Proportion Rule: Ensure room ceilings are high enough (at least 8–9 feet) so the top peak of the pediment does not feel cramped against ceiling moldings.
- Variation: Mount a floating triangular pediment shelf above a bed headboard to display small brass artifacts or trailing ivy.